The difference between Aim and Purpose

When used as nouns, aim means the pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck, whereas purpose means an object to be reached.

When used as verbs, aim means to point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it, whereas purpose means to have set as one's purpose.

check bellow for the other definitions of Aim and Purpose

  1. Aim as a noun:

    The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.

    Examples:

    "Take time with the aim of your gun."

    "to take aim'"

  2. Aim as a noun:

    The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.

  3. Aim as a noun:

    Intention or goal

    Examples:

    "My number one aim in life is to make money to make my parents, siblings and kids happy''."

    "synonyms: purpose design scheme"

  4. Aim as a noun:

    The ability of someone to aim straight; one's faculty for being able to hit a physical target

    Examples:

    "The police officer has excellent aim, always hitting the bullseye in shooting practice."

  5. Aim as a noun (obsolete):

    Conjecture; guess.

  1. Aim as a verb (intransitive):

    To point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it

    Examples:

    "He aimed at the target, but the arrow flew straight over it."

  2. Aim as a verb (intransitive):

    To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;—followed by at, or by an infinitive

    Examples:

    "to aim at a pass"

    "to aim to do well in life"

  3. Aim as a verb (transitive):

    To direct or point (e.g. a weapon), at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object

    Examples:

    "to aim an arrow at the deer"

    "She aimed a punch at her ex-boyfriend."

  4. Aim as a verb (transitive):

    To direct (something verbal) towards a certain person, thing, or group

    Examples:

    "to aim a satirical comment at Communists in general"

  5. Aim as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To guess or conjecture.

  1. Aim as a noun:

    |lang=en}} AIM; AOL Instant Messenger.

  1. Purpose as a noun:

    An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal. "purpose".

  2. Purpose as a noun:

    A result that is desired; an intention.

  3. Purpose as a noun:

    The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.

  4. Purpose as a noun:

    The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Spenser"

  5. Purpose as a noun:

    The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.

    Examples:

    "The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy."

  6. Purpose as a noun (obsolete):

    Instance; example.

  1. Purpose as a verb (intransitive):

    To have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

  2. Purpose as a verb (transitive, passive):

    To design for some purpose.

  3. Purpose as a verb (obsolete, intransitive):

    To discourse.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Edmund Spenser"

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